The X Factor-

What Recruiters Want from MBA s

The TopMBA.com Recruiter Survey (conducted each year

since 1990 between February and May) shows that, overall,

recruiters are satisfied with MBAs, rating them 2.3 (where 3

represents highly satisfied).

The TopMBA.com Recruiter Survey

The TopMBA survey found that, whilst almost all employers were satisfied with analytical, language and technical skills possessed by MBAs, there was a common feeling that business schools are still not doing enough to develop these softer skills (as shown in chart).

The Top MBA Survey- CHART

In a recent survey of 508 MBA employers from around the

world, QS TopMBA found that; people skills, strategic thinking,

and leadership were the three most important qualities for their

MBA hires.

A separate survey of MBA recruiters by Said Business School also identified soft skills - communication, entrepreneurship and creativity as of greatest importance.

MBA Survey Reinforcement

Recruiters hire MBA’s for the X Factor

� When recruiters hire MBA’s : They look for the X factor

� the X-factor can best be described as an entrepreneurial spirit or a drive and enthusiasm that makes this person stand

out from the crowd.

� This trait may not be unique to MBAs, but when you add in other requirements, namely

�a requirement for academic rigour, a breadth of understanding of general management, proven leadership

skills, language ability and geographic flexibility,

� it’s not surprising that an MBA becomes almost mandatory to the hiring profile.

�Most MBA employers take the analytical and problem

solving skills as a given when they look at MBAs. They

really do focus on the soft skills when they make their

hiring decisions

�“A course in soft management skills, combined with

several live consulting assignments with real clients,

help to develop “the leadership and personal skills of

our MBAs” Manchester Business school”

The Bottomline

� Investment banks place emphasis on problem solving and initiative

� They want people who have been successful in their former careers, no matter what their background.

� In an industry renowned for its quantitative nature, soft skills remain key.

�Most research and pure quant roles are filled by PhDs and graduates

� MBAs tend to prefer and are best at client facing roles, be it in equities, fixed income or corporate finance.

Different sectors look for different

profiles

The TopMBA.com survey also reveals that recruiters have a strong preference for MBAs with prior professional experience - 88% prefer candidates with between two and eight years of professional experience - only 4% will hire MBAs without any prior work experience.

Professional experience

Problems still arise with candidates who have great experience but in a completely unrelated field. An MBA does enable people to change their industry or function, but they have to bring relevant transferable skills

CITING

A investment bank didn’t hire the MBA who was previously a Jeweller. MBAs need to be realistic about how radical a career change they can make

The Bottomline:

Prior experience is crucial … But

The Race Ahead……

Career Scope

What you like

Areas of

Interest Hobbies

Sports

Fun & Games

Reading

Writing

Music

Travelling

Cooking

What you’re good at

Qualifications

Extra Curricular Activities Strengths

Opportunities

MBA/MSc

Fests

Communication

skills

Projects

Accolades

Management Skills

Knowledge

Span

Desired Lifestyle/ Income

Family Upbringing

Lifestyle

Living for today or tomorrow

Car/Bus

Debit/Credit

cards

PG/Apartment

Eating Habits

Dependent(s)

Clothes

Accessories

WORK

ACCESS

PREPARE

SEARCH

CONTACT

INTERVIEW

Job

Hunting

Cycle

WORK

Track Achievements

Connect with people

Increase skills

Assess yourself

ASSESS

Identify Assets, Deficits

Prepare Portfolio

Develop Resume

Target Specific jobs

PREPARE

Wardrobe

References

Support Systems

SEARCH

Used varied methods

Connect with others

Track progress

CONTACT

Phone calls

Cover letters

Application forms

INTERVIEW

Research

Offer

Questions

Negotiations

Things to do

Companies In India

Performance

Vacancies available

Mapping qualifications required for vacancies

Pay package

People to reach out to

Are you

here?